Monsoon, 'tri-phoon' death toll climbs to 34

The number of reported fatalities from the combined impact of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong over the past week has risen to 34, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Latest reports from the NDRRMC said the three additional deaths are from the Calabarzon Region. However, only two of the recorded deaths have been confirmed as weather-related, while the rest remain under verification.

As of yesterday, nine of the reported deaths were from Metro Manila, eight from Calabarzon, six from Western Visayas, three each from the Negros Island Region and Northern Mindanao, two from Central Luzon and one each from MIMAROPA, CARAGA and the Davao Region.

At least seven individuals remain missing in Western Visayas, Metro Manila, CAR and Calabarzon.

The NDRRMC said 1,857,171 families or 6,670,506 individuals have been affected nationwide by the combined effects of the monsoon and typhoons. Of these, 33,694 families or 113,646 persons are still staying in 1,199 evacuation centers across the country.